As the temperatures cool and the days get shorter, many homeowners assume that lawn watering is no longer necessary. After all, summer’s blazing sun has passed. And yes– it's true that any rainfall we have does contribute to your lawn's health. But don't let that lull you into a false sense of security– if rainfall is ever scarce, your lawn still needs water, or it can be in real trouble.
At Top Turf, we want to help you understand the right way to water your lawn this fall, so you can set the stage not only for a nice, green yard when spring returns, but a great lawn all year!
It may not look like your grass is growing as quickly in the fall, but don't let looks deceive you. Your grass is still very active, you just can't see it.
Underground, your grass is hard at work, focusing on root growth rather than blade growth. Recognizing that the temperature is cooling and a cold winter is soon to follow, it's developing a strong root system to combat that. It's putting its nutrients and water to good use– at this time of year, creating hearty roots below the ground is much more important than growing the blades above the ground.
Which brings us back to why watering during this time is so important. Adequate soil moisture ensures that roots grow deeper and stronger, which helps your lawn:
Store nutrients for winter survival
Resist drought and disease
Green up faster in spring
Think of it this way– the roots of your grass look for water to soak into their systems. The better and deeper the water availability, the deeper and more robust your grass roots can grow. Without enough water in the fall, the roots of your grass have to stay near the surface of the soil, where any water they can salvage is. If they can't grow deep enough into the ground, your lawn may enter winter stressed, resulting in a patchy or weak lawn in the spring. See how it's all connected?
A good rule of thumb is about 1 inch of water per week, either from rainfall or supplemental irrigation. Remember, even though rainfall can be more abundant in the fall, you'll want to supplement when necessary. Here’s what that looks like in practice:
Rainy Weeks: If your area gets an inch or more of rain, you can skip irrigation that week.
Dry Weeks: If rainfall is less than an inch, water your lawn until the total (rain + irrigation) reaches an inch.
Pro tip: You can measure this by placing a small container (like a tuna can or a small tupperware) on your lawn while watering. When it fills to one inch, you’ve hit the mark.
Water Overnight: This allows the water to soak deeper into the soil since it won't be evaporated by the sun.
Longer, Infrequent (but still consistent!) Watering: Opt to water your lawn deeply 1–2 times a week instead of shallow, daily watering. This is another way to allow the water to seep deeper into the soil, encouraging deeper root growth.
Overwatering: Excess water can suffocate roots and waste resources. Keep to the simple rule of 1 inch per week. And always remember to take rainfall into account!
Adjust Sprinklers: As temperatures drop, your lawn will need less frequent watering compared to summer. Keep an eye on rainfall and soil moisture. You want it to have a good amount of water, but you don't want to drown your lawn, either.
Stop Before the First Freeze: Once our region starts experiencing regular frosts (temperatures below freezing), it’s time to shut down your irrigation system for the season. Not only has your grass entered it's winter state, but you don't want to burst any pipes or hoses in your irrigation system.
Proper fall watering is all about balance– too little and your lawn won’t develop strong roots, too much and you risk the health of your grass or wasted water. By following these guidelines, you’ll give your grass the best chance to thrive through the winter and bounce back vibrant in the spring.
Good luck, lawn lovers! And remember, the experts at Top Turf are here to help. Contact us today to learn more about our fall lawn care services!